This week I am going to introduce to another hidden Gem in Melbourne. That is Warren Glen garden and cafe.  Warran Glen is located in Warrandyte, Victoria (Melbourne area), at 373 Ringwood‑Warrandyte Road. 

 The site features a scenic creek, water features, and a lake with ducks (some small bridges cross water channels), giving it a tranquil, garden-escape feel.

 The ambience is leafy and peaceful — many visitors see it as a local respite from the bustle of the suburbs.

 They have a wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants adapted for Melbourne’s climate.Gardening supplies: pots, soils, fertilizers, tools, garden art, decorative items. 

https://youtu.be/QDCpByJL0Sw?si=xFZj2wI_KFae1FdA

 

 

Blueberry Slice... 

Ingredients.

• 110g self raising flour
• 20g corn flour
• 100g Sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 80g yogurt
• juice of half a lemon. 

Air Fried pork chops with roasted pumpkin and vegetable stew 

 

Ingredients for Air Fried pork chops.

• Pork loin chops without fat
•  salt and pepper
• Any seasoning (I used All purpose)

Ingredients1 for the pumpkin roast 

• Pumpkin (Any variety)
• Oil for brushing
• salt for seasoning

Ingredients for  Vegetable stew

• 1 Eggplant
• few Brussels sprouts
• tomato (Large)
•  1 Capsicum
• 1 onion
• salt and pepper to taste
•  Italian herb mix or any herbs as you wish
• few cloves garlic 

"Easy Recipes, Backyard Gardening & Hidden Gems to Visit!"

 

There’s something beautiful about slowing down and enjoying life’s simple pleasures — cooking a homemade meal, getting your hands dirty in the garden, or discovering a new favorite spot in your hometown. If you're looking to add more joy to your daily routine, this blog post has you covered! Here's a trio of inspiration: quick and easy recipes, backyard gardening tips, and some hidden gems you just have to explore.

Here is the link........  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj03VWBq88s

 

 

🥗 Easy Recipes: Delicious in 30 Minutes or Less

Busy schedule? No problem. These simple recipes are perfect weekends when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

          Green oats

• Ingredients: Gotukola / Arthritis herb. Curry Leaves, Oats, Cream or coconut milk Add psyllium husk for extra fiber 

• Directions: Cook oats until Tender. Blend all the leaves in a cup of water and add to the oats. Add salt and cream and Serve hot!

  Snake bean curry  

  Ingredients :  Snake Beans, Onion,curry leaves,garlic,cinnamon,fenugreek seeds,curry powder,chilli powder,salt and Maldive fish flakes, coconut oil.& coconut milk

   Directions: Stir fry all the ingredients in coconut oil. Then add some water. Once well cooked add a touch of coconut milk. Cook further. When all get coated with the spices its ready.

  Dried sprats with tomatoes 

  Ingredients: Dried sprats,Lots of garlic, white part of the leek,,One large tomato,Green chilli,curry powder,Chilli powder, turmeric powder,cinnamon,salt, curry leaves and coconut milk  

  Directions:Wash the dried sprats few times. Then add all the ingredients to it. Cook until soft and less sauce. 

  Black Pepper Chicken  

  Ingredients: Diced or chopped chicken,cinnamon,onion,garlic,tomato, Green chilli,Black pepper,salt,coriander powder.

  Directions: Process onion, garlic, chlli, curry leaves, tomato in a food processor. Add other spices to the chicken. Cook on low heat about an hour.

  Split chickpea pattie / Wada  

  Ingredients: Split chick pea, salt onion, green chilli, red chilli flakes, curry leaves, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, Few table spoons of plain flour or chick pea flour and oil for frying

  Directions: Soak chick pea over night. Wash thoroughly until water is clear. Strain. Then add in to a food processor and process.Add all the other ingredients and make patties as shown in the video. deep fry in hot oil

  

  
   

  

  
  

 

🌱 Backyard Gardening: Grow Your Own Little Paradise

Even a tiny backyard or balcony can become a mini oasis. Gardening not only provides fresh produce but also boosts your mental health. Here’s how to start (or level up) your green space.

Beginner Tips:

• Start small: Try herbs like basil, mint, or parsley in pots.

• Know your sunlight: Tomatoes and peppers love full sun. Leafy greens? Partial shade is just fine.

• Use what you have: Recycle old containers as planters. Egg cartons make great seed starters!

Quick Wins for Instant Gratification:

• Radishes grow in as little as 3–4 weeks.

• Lettuce sprouts fast and you can harvest it multiple times.

• Strawberries in hanging baskets? Yes, please.

Gardening is a great weekend project and a daily stress reliever — plus, nothing beats the taste of food you’ve grown yourself.

 ✨ Hidden Gems to Visit: Local Escapes You’ll Fall in Love With

 This week it is Monsalvat art and garden center. 

• Address: 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham VIC 3095.

• Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM. 

  
  
   
  
  
  
  

  
  

My second video is with 7 good recipies and my life

 

Here is the link for my second video.  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5W3g2Zs2bQ&t=61s

 

I posted 5 Sri Lankan cooking videos as well as a burger and an egg sandwich this time. .  

Gardening has become my hobby and my life. 

I compost all the garden paste and fruits and vegetable peels.  All the scarp like cooked food, meat and fish I put in  Fogo bin. As I have two dogs I try to be careful of what I compost. I do compost egg shells though. 

 

 I like to visit garden centers and learn more about gardening.  When I was there I found this interesting Dwarf lemon in a pot. We cant say that we live in a smaller house so we don't have space. Fist I thought this may be plastic. I physically touched the plant and the fruits . Its real..,😊

Below is my Mandarin tree.It gave more than enough for us to eat. If you have a little place in your garden try adding few fruit trees. Not only we survive but also all the insects and animals. 

 

 

Closer View of the Mandarins 

 

 

 Some visitors to my garden

 

 

Lets save the wild life & the environment for the future generation. 

Thank you. for visiting my blog. 

My semi retired life in Australia.

 Hello everyone! 

 

 I am glad to be back again. I took a small break and traveled around the world. Now i am back  again to share my thoughts experience and many more things.

 From my childhood I used to do gardening as a hobby. After arriving in Australia one of our friends influenced me to start do my gardening again. I will post the pictures here.

This is my 1st video after 3 years. Please watch and share your ideas with me.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8X8G8kICxk&t=66s

 When we are getting older you get to know lot of things. I am trying to write things here so you can read and get many more ideas. 

When come to gardening the best way is to make your own compost depending  one size of you garden, With in this modern world you can even do composting in your balcony.

 By planting your own vegetables and fruits you can save a lot on your grocery bill. 

Some plums in my garden.... 

 

 

No matter how small your garden you can buy a lot of drafted fruit trees. Here is a picture of few I saw in the garden center. 

 

 

Look how beautiful  it is. This one was expensive. But try buying a small plant and then looking after it. There is nothing more to be proud of than looking at your plants treating you back with organic fruits. I know you can buy your own organic stuff but they have high price tag and you still don't know where they are from.

These are the pomelo I grow in my garden. The tree bears a lot of fruits.